Advice from an old farmer: ‘Keep skunks and bankers at a distance’

Dear readers of Potato News Today: I just saw this wonderful piece, and feel to share it with you. It has apparently been circulating online for quite a few years by now. Still, it is really worth a read – or a second read (and some thought), for that matter…

Apparently there are many versions of it, but credit for the original version reportedly goes to former judge and Texas State Legislator Roy English, a popular author of several books featuring his wit and no-nonsense humor.

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered… not yelled.
Meanness don’t just happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not try to corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It doesn’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about, ain’t never gonna happen anyway.
Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good and honorable life, then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Don’t interfere with something’ that ain’t bothering you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every morning.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
If you get to thinking’ you’re a person of some influence, try ordering’ somebody else’s dog around.
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and enjoy the ride.
Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.
Most times, it just gets down to common sense.